Seasons is a publication of West Virginia American Baptist Women s Ministries. Serving God in all Seasons

Transcription

1 Seasons is a publication of West Virginia American Baptist Women s Ministries. Serving God in all Seasons JANUARY 2019

2 From the President This little children s ditty keeps singing through my mind as I think about the end of the year for American Baptist Women. How often do we allow the years to go one into another without closely looking and evaluating what we have done for the previous year or even years? One of the concerns that has surfaced in evaluating the overall ministry around the state with American Baptist Women is the shrinking participation. A legitimate question to raise would be is part of the decrease in participation occurring because we are not maintaining our foundation? President 2 Upcoming Events 3 Scholarship/Loan 4 New Board Members 5 Special Project 6 Tidbits 7 Spiritual Growth Retreat 8 M.O.P. 9 WV Women in Ministry 10 Personal Development 11 Tribute 12 Bible Moment Women s Day Pictures 14 Treasurer s Report 15 In the Matthew 7:24-29 passage it is clear that both builders were skillful. The builders both finished their structure. Most likely they both had honest intentions with an understanding of the building directions. The difference was the foundation! If we apply these truths to our circles, our American Baptist Women s Ministries, we can say that as women we have been gung ho about our purpose, our ministries. Perhaps we have not continued to tweak our foundations. Do we check where cracks have formed when things around us have changed? Even though we know the foundational truths of Jesus never change, perhaps how these truths are heard and experienced have shifted. It is up to us to keep the foundation maintained. How do we do this foundation maintenance? A yearly evaluation of what has worked, what has not? Who was reached, who was not? What can be shifted? Planning for the upcoming year and praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit is crucial. We want to avoid that sandy land to stay on solid ground in order to continue the ministry that God intends for us to do. On our website you can find the last Leadership Academy session led by Janey Carrico that contains excellent suggestions and forms for evaluation. Wishing for you in this new year the peace of God and a one time build! President Debbie Higginbotham 571 Skyline View Drive Ripley, WV Phone: higginb@suddenlink.net Page 2

3 WV American Baptist Women State Executive Board Meeting Parchment Valley Conference Center Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, 2019 Women s Camp April 5-7, 2019 Camp Cowen Rock the Boat Hebrews 13:21 Parchment Valley Conference Center June 1, 2019 Kim Mack, Coordinator In the Quiet Psalm 46:10 Parchment Valley Conference Center September 20-22, 2019 Kim Pickrell, Coordinator 2019 WVBC Annual Meeting October 18-19, 2019 Alderson Broaddus University Women s Day Friday, October 18 The Woman God Sees Isaiah 62:4 Lou Ann Nicholas, Coordinator Page 3

4 IT S SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIME!!! See revised full terms and conditions of scholarship/loan information online at wvbc.org/partners/auxiliaries. If you plan to attend an out-of-state school, you will now be considered for a scholarship. You must request an application and accompanying documents from the Scholarship/ Loan Coordinator Jane Mullen. Her contact information is below as well as online. Applications and all accompanying documents are to be in the hands of the coordinator by March 1st. Scholarship/Loan Coordinator Jane W. Mullen 1108 E. Main St./ PO Box 257 Harrisville, WV Phone: E mail: Ljwm1108@zoominternet.net ********************************************************************************** By definition the word conference is a meeting for consultation or discussion; an exchange of views; a sharing of ideas. Over the years our annual conference has evolved into something beyond that. This year we are hosting an event that encompasses the definition for the word conference. Yes it will be spiritual, but it will also be instructive, educational, thought-provoking, fun and will include exploring yet another way of doing things. Unlike previous conferences, for 2019 it will be only a Saturday gathering. If you need to travel long-distance and need overnight accommodations for Friday night, they will be available for you at Parchment Valley Conference Center and the Conference Coordinator Kim Mack and Conference Coordinate Elect Sandy Currey, along with the Conference Committee, will provide activities and events for you on Friday evening. Page 4

5 KATHY HUDSON FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT 1263 Park Avenue Ravenswood, WV Phone: I live in Ravenswood and I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Ravenswood. I teach high school science in the Meigs County, Ohio School System. I ask for your prayers to help me stay focused on the prize as I seek to fulfill my role of leadership in American Baptist Women of West Virginia that brings glory to my Lord. My favorite Bible verses are Romans 8:28 and Habakkuk 3: YEVETTE SHAFER PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR ELECT 2678 Chestnut Flats Road Lewisburg, WV Phone: yevettes@gmail.com I am the office manager at the Public Defender s Office in Lewisburg. I am a member of Shuck Memorial Baptist Church in Lewisburg. I graduated from the School of Christian Studies in October 2016 with a degree in Pastoral Ministry. I look forward to working with a great team of women to serve an even larger great group of women. I also look forward to meeting and getting to know more of my American Baptist Women sisters across this beautiful state. SANDRA FOSTER CURREY CONFERENCE COORDINATOR ELECT 4614 Noyes Avenue Charleston, WV Phone: sandyfostercurrey@gmail.com I am Sandra (Sandy) Foster Currey, a blessed child and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a member of Oakwood Baptist Church where I sing in the choir and teach the preschool children s class on Wednesday evenings. I live in Kanawha City. I am a retired school teacher. In every season of my life, God has blessed me through the West Virginia American Baptist Women s Ministries. Today, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as Conference Coordinator Elect. KAREN NICHOLSON SECRETARY 3 Trail Drive Hurricane, WV Phone: varzbk@aol.com I reside in Hurricane and I am a member of Hurricane First Baptist Church. I am currently serving as a facilitator for a new ministry called Grief Share and I work in customer service at the Scott Depot YMCA. I have been involved with American Baptist Women s Ministries since 1983 and have served as the state Spiritual Growth Coordinator and Personal Development Coordinator. Now, I am looking forward to working on the state board as Secretary. Page 5

6 GOAL: $12,000 Baptist Campus Ministries Alderson Broaddus - Jon Villers-orangemanforjesus@gmail.com Concord - Vicki Morris-torimor44@yahoo.com Davis and Elkins - Mike Steffan-msteffan79@outlook.com Fairmont State - Karla Carr-fairmontstatebcm@gmail.com Glenville State - Lance Linden-lance@gassawaybaptist.com Marshall - Rob Ely-ely@wvbc.org University of Charleston - Annette and Drew Crislip-annettecrislip@gmail.com West Virginia Tech-Beckley - Patrick Huffman-phuffman09@hotmail.com Anthony Pratt-Anthony_pratt@hotmail.com West Virginia - Kevin Sions-sions@wvbc.org Margaret Pratt Church and Community Coordinator 533 River Road Racine, WV Phone: Nateandabismom1@gmail.com Page 6

7 Women s Leadership Academy Video Sessions are online on our website (wvbc.org/partners/auxiliaries) for viewing. If you are looking for meeting ideas, check out Details - Leadership How To s also on our website. Join us on Facebook - American Baptist Women s Ministries of WV for inspirational messages and information updates. Welcome Koreen Villers as our new WVBC Liaison. We are very much looking forward to working with you! Scholarship Application Regulations have been altered to now allow applications from girls planning to attend out-of-state schools. Prayers for a complete recovery for our former State ABWM White Cross Coordinator Reggie Wright. Congratulations to State ABWM President Debbie Higginbotham on the finalization of the adoption of your new granddaughter! Also, welcome home from your trip to visit your family in Uganda. Welcome Home State ABWM Mission and Service Coordinator, Dee Lallemont, from your mission trip to Thailand and thank you for your service. Congratulations to State ABWM Church and Community Coordinator, Margaret Pratt, on passing the state board examinations en route to your goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner. If you would like to subscribe to Seasons, the cost is $5.00 per year - publications are in January, April and August. Subscription mailing information is on the back cover of this edition. Page 7

8 SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT 2018 September Parchment Valley Conference Center Page 6 Page 8

9 2019 Mission Outreach Project Rice for Students in Thailand GOAL: $6,000 In the overcrowded city of Chiang Mai, Thailand it is hard to come by steady employment much less a living wage. Parents struggle to meet their family s basic needs and when there isn t enough food to go around, the children are often sent out to the night market to beg. When children spend the night begging, they come to school exhausted and both their health and classwork suffer. The House of Blessing is an early childhood education center that serves ethnic minority hill tribe children. They provide bags of rice to the students families. Each family is required to contractually agree that the children will not be made to beg on school nights. As a result, children are coming to school more consistently, well rested and better able to learn. How We Can Help $30 provides one family with enough rice for a month. $360 provides one family with enough rice for one year. Our goal of $6,000 would provide 16 families with enough rice for one year! Dee Lallemont Mission and Service Coordinator 6 Amanda Lane Parkersburg, WV Phone: lallemont@cascable.net Page 9

10 The women s ministries of Ravenswood First Baptist Church include two annual fund raisers: Salad to Go luncheon in the summer and a Soup to Go luncheon in the fall. Folks just stop by and get their to go foods of choice. Little or no cleanup is required. The events are by donations only and the proceeds are used in part to support the annual Special Project. And yes, guys help with the event and contribute to the Special Project as well! Page 10

11 Personal Development Is the conscious choice To improve one s life, to become a better person and to grow as an individual GENTLY USED - Andy Stanley We all believe exercise is good for us, but we don't always head to the gym or go on a run. To actually get in shape we have to exercise. We have to get off the couch and do it. And isn't it easier when we have someone to keep us accountable? The same is true of our faith - we can only get so far on our own. THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER - Clay Scroggins The grass is always greener on the other side. It may be an old cliché, but it lurks in every one of us. It s that thing we don t currently have that we think will give us what we want most. It s an insatiable appetite for more. It never leads to joy. It robs us of life. So, what do we do with our longing for the greener grass? ME & MY BIG MOUTH - Andy Stanley Open mouth... insert foot. Don t we all wish we could avoid that scenario? Our words can get us into all kinds of trouble. But maybe we can learn to keep our big mouths in check. We all know what it s like to be hurt by someone who just couldn t listen long enough to understand us. Maybe in their attempt to be right, they damaged a relationship that could have been saved with a little patience and curiosity. You ve probably been on the other side of that coin too. What if we didn t settle for being right, but tried to make things right instead? The longer we listen, the more we learn and the better chance we have of protecting ourselves from our own big mouths. Personal Development Coordinator Elect Lou Ann Nicholas 202 Maryland Avenue Nutter Fort, WV Phone: or lanicholas13@aol.com Page 11

12 A TRIBUTE TO LISA SIMMONS Every now and then God graces us with the presence of an outstanding leader. Lisa Simmons is one of those people. Through her devotion to God she touched many lives, especially those of West Virginia Women s Ministries. Her faithfulness, leadership, ideas, practical approach to delicate issues and her ready smile and laughter have been a source of comfort and delight for all of us. She began her work with the West Virginia American Baptist Women in that calculates to twenty-eight years of service. Some of Lisa s long-time acquaintances were asked to share their thoughts on Lisa and her retirement with us. In my Bible are stored several sentimental pictures and mementos, two of which relate to Lisa Simmons. The first is a fabric bookmark made by the women of Thailand. The second is a simple 3x5 card with the message Courage for the journey ahead and signed, Lisa. While attending the 1996 West Virginia Baptist Convention s annual staff retreat, we were asked to write a prayer request on a card. I received Lisa s card. Little did I know at the time the words journey ahead were referring to John and Lisa following God s direction into missionary service. My prayers immediately began for Lisa and her family. This card is stored at Romans 10:11-15 along with the date I wrote in the margin: June 8, 1997/John and Lisa Simmons. Their missionary commissioning service was held during the Annual Women s Conference at AB College. As a member of the WVBC Mission Support office, I was asked to read the above scripture. It has been my privilege to pray for Lisa s many journeys : service in Thailand, the many hats she wore as a WVBC staff member, her devotion to Tim during his illness and now her retirement. I am confident God will guide our dear friend in new ways to serve His kingdom. It is my honor to continue to pray for this new journey. Love you, Lisa. Rose Marie Durig My friendship with Lisa Simmons began when we were both young women serving on the ABW State Board. Her love and dedication to God were that of a loving daughter. She has such enthusiasm as she lives for God and a beautiful caring spirit. We have shared our God, our families and many aspects of our lives. I count it an honor to call her my friend. Thank you Lisa, for many years of blessings as we walked our journey of life together. Sherry Goldsburg The first time I met Lisa, she was VERY pregnant!! As I looked at her thinking, oh my goodness her husband John said, don t worry she ll be alright. She joined our team of Christian Educators from across the state of West Virginia. We traveled to eastern college campuses for training and in turn had opportunities to do leadership training events in West Virginia for several years. It was in the day of Don Loudermilk, Jim Crouch, Jack Minear, Leona Mills and Betty Smith. I can remember Jim Crouch and Jack Minear driving and trying to miss every pot hole in the road. And if she made a moaning sound, Jim Crouch would say, don t deliver on my watch! Yes, those were the days! The second time I met Lisa, she was VERY pregnant!! As I looked at her thinking, oh my goodness her husband John said, don t worry she ll be alright. And John left with us on Paul Fulks first mission tour to Alaska. So as we traveled to that beautiful state, Betty Crouch and Roger Adams would every two days encourage John to call home. Well, Lisa is retiring and as far as I know, she isn t pregnant!! But don t worry, she ll be alright. She is going to live where she can walk barefoot in the sand. Hmmmm. Pat Hess As you begin your new life of retirement in a place where you and your husband will awaken in awe to each new day, please know that you have the thanks and appreciation of every American Baptist Woman in West Virginia - not only for your service, but for your friendship and that genuine smile. God s blessings! Page 12

13 January Seasons Bible Moment Joe Allbright is a fair and fearless West Texas rancher, a square-jawed, rawboned man with a neck by Rawlings. In Andres County, where I was raised, everyone knew him. One of Joe s sons, James, and I were best friends in high school. We played football together. (More honest, he played while I guarded the team bench.) One Friday night after an out-of-town game, James invited me to stay at his house. By the time we reached the property the hour was way past midnight and he hadn t told his father he was bringing anyone home. Mr. Allbright didn t know me or my vehicle, so when I stepped out of the car in front of his house, he popped on a floodlight and aimed it at my face. Through the glare I saw this block of a man and I heard his deep voice. Who are you? I gulped. My mind moved at the speed of cold honey. I started to say my name but didn t. Mr. Allbright doesn t know me. My only hope was that James would speak up. A glacier could have melted before he did so. Finally he interceded. It s okay, Dad. That s my friend Max. He s with me. The light went off and Mr. Allbright threw open the door. Come on in boys. Food is in the kitchen. What changed? What made Mr. Allbright flip off the light? One fact. I had aligned myself with his son. My sudden safety had nothing to do with my accomplishments or offerings. I knew his son. Period. For the same reason, you need never fear God s judgment. Not today. Not on Judgment Day. Jesus, in the light of God s glory, is speaking on your behalf. That s my friend, he says. And when he does, the door of heaven opens. By Max Lucado ********************************************************************************** How Many Board Members Can you Put in One Selfie? Answer: Fourteen! Good job, President Debbie! Absent when photo was taken: Lois Casto, Yevette Shafer, Jane Mullen This is such a fun photo that I had to share it with you in this new year of Seasons. The smiles on these faces are symbolic of the energy and enthusiasm for the many ministries of West Virginia Baptist ladies. While we work together as a board on the state level, we also engage in the many ministries in which we are gifted in our local churches. Our state goals this year and every year hereafter are communication and relationships. Page 13

14 2018 WOMEN S DAY SOUTH PARKERSBURG BAPTIST CHURCH FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19th Greetings from our Host Church ABWM President Georgia Parsons Page 14

15 American Baptist Women's Ministries of West Virginia "Honor Roll of Churches" for January 1 - December 31, 2018 ("Honor Roll" = Special Project, National Support, Mission Outreach and Scholarship) Broad Run Association Buckhannon, First Rock Grove Salem West Union Weston, First Coal River Association Racine, First Eastern Association Bethel Dorcas Little Capon Fairmont Association Baptist Temple Union Crossroads West Warren Willow Tree Fayette Association Calvary Fayetteville Oak Hill Page Good Hope Association Gilboa Ravenswood, First Reedy Spencer, First Goshen Association Goshen Kingwood Sabraton Greenbrier-Raleigh Association Beaver, First Beckley, First Breckenridge Crab Orchard Peterstown Guyandotte Association Beulah Ann Fifth Avenue Milton Hopewell Association New Hope Community Olive Branch Open Arms Summersville Judson Association Bridgeport Coon s Run Hepzibah Nutter Fort, First Shinnston, First Wilsonburg Kanawha Valley Association Baptist Temple Clendenin, First Diamond Dunbar, First Handley Judson Kanawha City Little Kanawha Association Burnsville Glenville, First Sand Fork Logan-Mingo Association Connolly Memorial Williamson, Frist Received from Associations $14, Special Project $ 2, National Support $10, Mission Outreach Project $ 5, Scholarship Panhandle Association Dallas Pike New Martinsville, First Pine Grove, First Sistersville, First Weirton, First Weirton Heights Memorial Wellsburg, First Parkersburg Association Emmanuel Lauckport Lubeck Community New England Newark South Parkersburg Union Valley Vienna Rockcastle Association Welch, First Teays Valley Association Concord Highlawn Hurricane, First Judson Main Street Mount Vernon Nitro, First Saint Albans, First Union Association Beulah Flemington Grafton, First Hepzibah Philippi Union Treasurer Linda Carpenter 63 Wakefield Place Washington, WV llecgrandma@yahoo.com

16 Visit us on the web: AB Women s Ministries Subscription / Renewal to SEASONS If your mailing label has any month in 2019 as an expiration date, it is time to renew. Subscription rate is $5.00 per year. Every association and local president receives a complimentary copy. I am enclosing my payment of $ for my renewal or new subscription to SEASONS for year (s). West Virginia Baptist Convention P.O. Box 1019 Parkersburg, WV Purpose of AB Women s Ministries In commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to the mission of the church, and through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, American Baptist Women s Ministries provides opportunities for each woman to: - become and develop as God s person, - build God s faith community and - serve God s world. Parkersburg, WV P.O. Box 1019 Business Name West Virginia Baptist Convention Non Profit Organization Non Profit U.S. POSTAGE Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. Parkersburg, POSTAGE PAID WV Permit No. 36 PAID Parkersburg, WV Seasons is a newsletter of the WV American Baptist Women s Ministries. Editor: Sue Hamric